The Green Tea Supporting Girl Is Still Playing Her Role Today (GL) - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Xie Zhifei: [Goofy flower.jpg]

Wen Pinghan: [How did you get my phone number?]

No reply came. Unfazed, she returned to the office, packed up, and left work.

Her phone buzzed constantly—mostly client messages and work group chats. She had to check them whenever she had a moment to avoid keeping clients waiting.

On her way home黎, a friend called suddenly. “I’ve got the money ready. When do you need it?”

It was her college roommate, Wu Qianqian. They were close, staying in touch despite working in different cities. When Wen Pinghan asked to borrow money for a down payment, Wu Qianqian agreed without hesitation, having just cashed out some investments today.

Wen Pinghan felt touched but guilty. “Sorry for the trouble. But… I might not be able to buy this time.”

“Why?!”

Wen Pinghan gave a wry chuckle. “My boss sexually harassed me.”

“What?! Are you okay? Should we call the police?” Wu Qianqian was furious on the other end. “Damn it, how do you run into such a creep?”

“Can’t report yet. No evidence.”

Wu Qianqian cursed, then said with concern, “Why don’t you go back to teaching? You’d ace the certification exam. Schools are simpler, better than those companies. I get tired just watching you deal with all that socializing.”

She’d said this at least eight times—whenever Wen Pinghan hit a work snag, Wu Qianqian urged her to switch to an easier job.

“Sure, it doesn’t pay as much as your salary, but it’s stable, less stress, fewer worries. Plus, teachers find partners easily. Look at you, a campus beauty, still single. Is that reasonable?”

“I need money,” Wen Pinghan said, as always. The words silenced Wu Qianqian.

As her roommate, Wu Qianqian knew how broke Wen Pinghan was. Unlike her own happy family, where she could pick a cushy job, Wen Pinghan’s family had no money—and even if they did, they wouldn’t give her any.

Her college tuition came from student loans, her living expenses from relentless part-time jobs. While classmates enjoyed carefree campus life, she was stuck grinding, with no time for anything else.

After interning at a middle school for half a year, Wen Pinghan switched to sales post-graduation. Done well, it paid far more than teaching ever could.

Wen Pinghan dreamed of owning her own house. So, when she first asked Wu Qianqian for a loan to buy one, Wu Qianqian agreed instantly.

“What’s your plan?” Wu Qianqian was already spiraling. “You’re at a critical point for promotion… Wait, this boss isn’t the one deciding your promotion, is he?”

“He is.” Wen Pinghan gave a bitter smile. “So, I probably won’t buy the house this time.”

“That’s infuriating! Should I help you report him?” Wu Qianqian gritted her teeth. “Does he have higher-ups?”

“Thanks, but this doesn’t involve you. Getting mixed up won’t help. Focus on your work. I’ll reach out when I’m free.” Wen Pinghan smiled, her gloom easing slightly from her friend’s care.

The next day, a meeting required formal attire. She wore a shirt and slacks, leaving the office first after it ended, giving Mr. Wu no chance to keep her behind.

Passing HR’s office, she hesitated for a minute or two. The door opened—it was her former manager, handling resignation paperwork.

“Sister Tong,” Wen Pinghan called, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. “Free tonight? Let me treat you to dinner.”

“Sure, no problem.” Sister Tong smiled.

That evening, at a hotpot restaurant, they sat across from each other.

Sister Tong sipped her drink, smiling at Wen Pinghan. “You’ve grown fast. I can still picture you secretly wiping tears after losing your first deal.”

“Yeah, if you hadn’t guided me, I wouldn’t have adapted to this job so quickly.” Wen Pinghan felt nostalgic.

Sister Tong, her former supervisor, took time to train newbies, never stole credit, and was kind to her team, keeping everyone motivated. Now, with her sudden departure, they’d all taken turns treating her to meals.

“Found a new job yet?” Wen Pinghan asked. “Which company? Maybe we’ll collaborate someday.”

“Not yet.” Sister Tong’s smile faltered.

Wen Pinghan blinked. “You didn’t quit without a plan, did you?”

“I did.”

Wen Pinghan was shocked. Sister Tong was a marketing manager—impulsive resignations weren’t her style. Likely personal reasons, so Wen Pinghan didn’t pry.

They chatted about other things, enjoying the meal. Near the end, Sister Tong noticed Wen Pinghan’s hesitation and asked, “Something on your mind?”

Wen Pinghan nodded, then, after a long pause, asked hesitantly, “Sister Tong, if I said… Mr. Wu sexually harassed me, would you believe me?”

Sister Tong’s eyes widened, staring at her in disbelief, scanning her up and down.

Mr. Wu had a stellar reputation—gentlemanly, decent-looking. Female employees especially thought he was leagues above balding, potbellied bosses. High salary, golden bachelor status—he wasn’t called that for nothing.

If someone claimed Mr. Wu harassed them, it’d be laughed off. With his status, what kind of girlfriend couldn’t he get? Why harass a junior employee?

Wen Pinghan could already imagine the skepticism, which is why she confided in Sister Tong, who was leaving.

“If you don’t believe me…” She was out of options—no solid evidence.

“I believe you.”

Wen Pinghan looked up, startled. In the dim light, she caught a flicker of resentment on Sister Tong’s expressionless face.

“You think I’d throw away a great career and quit for no reason?”

*

Traffic clogged the bustling road, pedestrians hurrying along. Wen Pinghan walked aimlessly, Sister Tong’s words echoing in her mind.

“My boyfriend and I are getting married. I couldn’t take it anymore.”

“He harassed me a year ago. I thought about fighting back, but he outranks me. I looked into the law—even serious cases only get half a month’s detention at most. The company wouldn’t let a marketing director sit in jail that long, especially when he was handling a major project. Think they’d side with me?”

“He’s in that position because the company’s full of his connections. HR’s tight with him. I didn’t dare complain to them—I’d be the first one fired.”

“He’s a sly fox, all upright on the surface, so no one suspects him.”

“He targets people who are settled in the company—easier to control—or mediocre performers, easy to manipulate. Crucially, he avoids those with standout qualities. If a victim tries to report, no one believes them. I didn’t think he’d go for someone as pretty as you… So, he must’ve had his eye on you for a while, waiting for your promotion chance.”

“The funny thing? One victim didn’t even see it as harassment—just flirting. Plus, she got perks from him.”

“Want to know what’s funnier? To divert his attention, I… I even steered him toward others. Don’t look at me like that—I know I’m disgusting too. That’s why I quit. I couldn’t stand it.”

“Reporting to the marketing manager or board, like you suggested? I told you, they only care about profits. Can a lowly employee like us outweigh the value he brings? Take the new marketing manager—a clueless heiress here to coast. She’s barely shown up. You think she’d handle your issue personally?”

“Pinghan, this isn’t as simple as you think. Give up.”

Before she knew it, she was at the convenience store. She bought a coffee, sat by the window, and zoned out, missing the woman who walked by, paused, and glanced at her twice.

“Hi…” Xie Zhifei pushed open the door, excited, only to see the person at the window slump onto the table, hands buried in her head, motionless.

She approached, circling to confirm it was her, then sat nearby.

When Wen Pinghan looked up and saw someone beside her, she jumped.

“Why are you here? When’d you get here?”

“Just…” “Just…” Xie Zhifei paused, leaning closer, staring at her red, teary eyes. “Why’re you crying?”

Wen Pinghan turned away, covering her face, pretending nothing was wrong. “You’re mistaken.”

Xie Zhifei assumed it was that jerk Gu Zhizhang—after all, the female lead often got upset by the male lead later in the story. Fuming, she cursed, “Stinking men.”

Wen Pinghan shot her an ambiguous look. “What’d you say?”

“I said, whoever hurt you is a stinking man.”

Wen Pinghan’s expression shifted subtly, turning to her. “Why say that?”

“What else could it be? A beast?”

Wen Pinghan couldn’t hold it in and laughed. “Yeah, a beast.”

“Despicable!”

“Exactly, despicable!”

“May his junk rot off!”

“Yeah, may his…” Wen Pinghan choked, seeing her righteous fury, and smiled. “Why’re you so worked up?”

“Of course I’m worked up! You’re my new sister. Hurting you is hurting me! Tell me, who did it? Gu Zhizhang?”

“No.”

Xie Zhifei secretly asked the system: [Who hurt her?]

System: [This plot isn’t tied to the main leads. No spoilers.]

Xie Zhifei: [Stupid system! May your junk rot off!]

System: […] Good thing I don’t have any.

Wen Pinghan didn’t want to talk, so Xie Zhifei couldn’t pry.

A moment later, Xie Zhifei asked, “Sister, want some seafood?”

“Too full.”

Three minutes later, Wen Pinghan watched her devour a cup of instant noodles, surprised. “This late, and you haven’t eaten dinner?”

“Got busy and forgot. Plus, I was nearby handling something.” Xie Zhifei said.

They parted at the door. Xie Zhifei, persistent, asked, “Sure you don’t need a ride?”

“No need, it’s close. Drive safe.”

“Got it!” Xie Zhifei beamed. “First time you’ve told me to stay safe, sister!”

Wen Pinghan didn’t see why that was exciting, turning to leave in the opposite direction.

Xie Zhifei giggled, heading home. She got a message from Gu Zhizhang.

Gu Zhizhang: [Xiao Fei, I’m planning to officially pursue Wen Pinghan. Any advice?]

Xie Zhifei: [My advice? Don’t.]

Gu Zhizhang: [?]

Xie Zhifei: [Look, she seems to be dealing with something. She probably won’t entertain your pursuit right now, so don’t add to her stress.]

Gu Zhizhang: [What’s she dealing with? I might be able to help.]

Xie Zhifei: [What, you gonna fix her constipation?]

Gu Zhizhang: […Never mind.]

Back home, Xie Zhifei organized the files on her coffee table, grouping urgent tasks for tomorrow’s office visit, then habitually checked her email.

She spotted an email from twenty minutes ago.

“Huh? An anonymous email?” Xie Zhifei said, intrigued.